1997 Chevrolet Tahoe Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Tahoe years
- More complaints than other years 11th of 32 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- None on file
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 410 complaints with NHTSA about the 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe. That ranks 11th out of 32 Tahoe model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is steering (105 complaints, 26%), typically at around 78,045 miles. Complaints mention 24 crashes, 3 fires, 9 injuries. There are no safety recalls on file for this model year. NHTSA has opened 4 defect investigations involving it.
- 410owner complaints
- 0safety recalls
- 4NHTSA investigations
- 24complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering problems | 105 | 26% | 78,045 | “steering sensor” (9%) | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems | 104 | 25% | 79,130 | “stopping distance” (11%) | — |
| Power Train problems | 58 | 14% | 80,450 | — | — |
| Visibility problems | 51 | 12% | 92,975 | “windshield wipers” (65%) | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 32 | 8% | 128,000 | — | — |
| Suspension | 30 | 7% | 123,000 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 21 | 5% | 125,000 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 12 | 3% | 160,000 | — | — |
| Tires | 8 | 2% | 196,240 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 8 | 2% | 88,000 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 7 | 2% | 168,000 | — | — |
| Equipment | 6 | 1% | 249,000 | — | — |
| Seats | 6 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Air Bags | 5 | 1% | 190,000 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 5 | 1% | 50,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 4 | 1% | 218,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Air | 4 | 1% | 30,000 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Parking Brake | 2 | 0% | — | — | — |
| Structure | 2 | 0% | — | — | — |
| Wheels | 2 | 0% | — | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control | 1 | 0% | 104,200 | — | — |
| Engine | 1 | 0% | — | — | — |
| Interior Lighting | 1 | 0% | — | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | 0% | — | — | — |
| Trailer Hitches | 1 | 0% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
1997 Chevrolet Tahoe recalls (0)
No safety recalls are on file for the 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Seat belt anchorage separation (PE01023) — opened Jul 17, 2001, closed Dec 20, 2001.
- Battery leaks acid (EA00013) — opened May 2, 2000, closed Jun 28, 2002.
- Battery leaks acid (PE99073) — opened Dec 3, 1999, closed May 2, 2000.
- Erratic power steering assist while driv (EA99011) — opened May 12, 1999, closed Feb 27, 2001.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
While in motion seat belt would come undone or wouldn't unlock from lock in order to use. Brakes would slip. My boyfriend was killed in an accident because the seat belt malfunctioned which then caused the airbags to malfunction and the brakes stuck so he wasn't able to slow down sufficiently.
When turning onto an on-ramp (usually right) the vehicle will momentarily lose power steering and the steering wheel will jerk right. This jerking motion also happens intermittently while driving at highway speeds with no turning involved. Even though there is more jerking motion on a turn both are…
1997 chevrolet tahoe. Consumer writes in regard remanufactured engines installed with safety defects. *as *tr
Brake failure due to brake line corrosion. Failure occurred while vehicle in motion at expressway speed, panic stop, brakes failed and nearly caused collision. Brakes do not work
Lower right ball joint on vehicle failed causing truck to lose control side swipe a parked car and travel another 70 feet knocking over a stop sign. Drivers side seat belt did not hold me in seat causing me to go forward hitting head on steering wheel. I cracked a molar tooth and both knees were…
Other Chevrolet Tahoe years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Tahoe | 27 | 3 |
| 2025 Tahoe | 49 | 1 |
| 2024 Tahoe | 68 | 3 |
| 2023 Tahoe | 229 | 5 |
| 2022 Tahoe | 193 | 4 |
| 2021 Tahoe | 457 | 16 |
| 2020 Tahoe | 57 | 3 |
| 2019 Tahoe | 107 | 2 |
| 2018 Tahoe | 105 | 3 |
| 2017 Tahoe | 174 | 4 |
| 2016 Tahoe | 256 | 8 |
| 2015 Tahoe | 658 | 14 |
| 2014 Tahoe | 90 | 3 |
| 2013 Tahoe | 233 | 4 |
| 2012 Tahoe | 178 | 3 |
| 2011 Tahoe | 447 | 5 |
| 2010 Tahoe | 314 | 3 |
| 2009 Tahoe | 284 | 5 |
| 2008 Tahoe | 528 | 4 |
| 2007 Tahoe | 1,177 | 4 |
| 2006 Tahoe | 114 | 3 |
| 2005 Tahoe | 293 | 5 |
| 2004 Tahoe | 467 | 2 |
| 2003 Tahoe | 507 | 4 |
| 2002 Tahoe | 449 | 3 |
| 2001 Tahoe | 512 | 5 |
| 2000 Tahoe | 282 | 6 |
| 1999 Tahoe | 552 | 1 |
| 1998 Tahoe | 263 | 2 |
| 1997 | 410 | 0 |
| 1996 Tahoe | 283 | 3 |
| 1995 Tahoe | 246 | 6 |
See all Chevrolet Tahoe problems by year, every Chevrolet model, or the Chevrolet VIN decoder.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe?
Owners most often report steering, service brakes, hydraulic, power train problems. The top one, steering, accounts for 105 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe?
No safety recalls are on file for this model year.
Was the 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Tahoe model years, the 1997 has more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.